TP-Link’s Chinese founder Jeffrey Chao seeks US$1 million Trump Gold Card visa

The Chinese founder of the massive router maker facing national security probes by the Trump administration has applied for an expedited visa under the Trump Gold Card programme, according to people familiar with the matter.

California-based TP-Link Systems told the federal agencies scrutinising its operations that founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Chao had applied for permanent residency under the programme, the people said.

Successful Gold Card applicants must give a US$1 million “unrestricted gift” to the Commerce Department in exchange for a visa.

TP-Link said in a statement that Chao and his wife are pursuing US citizenship but declined to comment on any Trump Gold Card application. The US Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment.

A company spokesman said TP-Link welcomed the opportunity to engage with the US government to show that its security practices were in line with industry standards and said that it was committed to addressing any national security issues.

As well as overseeing Gold Card applications, the Commerce Department is investigating TP-Link over concerns that its connections to China may pose an unacceptable threat to national security, people familiar with the matter said previously.